Money and duty free for Uruguay
Currency and Money
Currency information
Peso Uruguayo (UYU; symbol $U) = 100 centécimos. Notes are in the denominations of $U2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of $U10, 5, 2 and 1 and 50 centécimos.
Credit cards
MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Diners Club are the most commonly used credit cards. All are widely accepted in major tourist and business destinations including Montevideo, Punta del Este and Colonia del Sacramento. In rural areas, it's best to carry cash as many businesses will not accept credit cards.
ATM
ATMs marked with the green Banred or blue RedBROU logo are reliable and available in all cities, as well as some smaller towns. These serve all major international banking networks, including Cirrus, Visa, Link, MasterCard and Maestro.
Travellers cheques
Traveller's Cheques can still be cashed at some banks and exchange shops in major tourist hubs. US Dollar traveller's cheques are more widely accepted than those issued in Euros or Sterling.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 1300-1800.
Currency restrictions
Local currency and foreign currency may be imported and exported up to the equivalent of US$10,000; larger amounts must be declared.
Currency exchange
Visitors are advised to buy local currency at banks and exchange shops, as hotels tend to give unfavourable rates. Inflation in Uruguay, though less severe than in other Latin American countries, leads to frequent fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Uruguay duty free
Overview
The Customs Allowances for Uruguay DUTY FREE SHOPS are:
• USD$650 for products acquire at arrivals Duty Free Shops. (Decree 108/010 and its modifications).
• For Travelers arriving to Uruguay, tax-free for alcoholic beverages and cigarettes income is limited to the following maximum amounts: distilled alcoholic beverages up to six (6) liters and four (4) cartons of cigarettes (General Resolution 16 / 2016). This regime does not apply to wines, sparkling wines and similar.
Please check Customs official web page at https://www.aduanas.gub.uy.
Banned Imports
Prohibited items include flammable objects, narcotics and obscene or pornographic materials.
Restricted items include firearms, plants, fruit, vegetables, seeds, flowers, and animals and their products.
